Canadian web developer creates 31 jobs in Galway

20 Jan 2004

Thirty-one internet jobs are to be created adjacent to NUI Galway following the decision by Comprehensive Sports Information (CSI), a Canadian online sports news and statistics website developer, to locate its European Operation Centre in Galway following discussions with IDA Ireland.

The centre, which will be known as Covers Media Group, will manage CSI’s e-commerce operations as well as serving as the headquarters for its European expansion. It will create an additional 31 jobs at the Campus Innovation Centre at NUI Galway.

The jobs, which will be created over the next four years, will involve content distribution, technical support, customer services, editorial and shared services. It is understood that recruitment is already underway for graduates with skills in computer science, journalism and customer centre.

The founder of CSI, Paul Lavers, commented: “Our on-line properties, such as Covers.com, have experienced rapid growth in North America. We want to leverage our brand and knowledge of providing a unique mix of news and statistics on Covers.com to create new properties for the European market. We think there are tremendous opportunities for us in Europe and Ireland is a great place to create a headquarters.”

Welcoming the decision, the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Harney said: “The attraction of CSI to Ireland fits well with the Government’s strategies, implemented by IDA Ireland, for the future growth of the digital media sector here and for regional development. It will act as a catalyst in attracting other companies in the digital media sector to consider Galway as a location for such activities.”

The opening of Covers Media Group is the first major step in establishing the Covers.com brand outside of North America. In addition to creating and growing on-line sports properties for Europe, it will also manage existing e-commerce properties: Covers Experts and Consensus Club. The Galway Centre will be the cornerstone of Comprehensive Sports’ expansion into Europe and will lead all business activities in the region.

In addition to publishing on-line properties, Comprehensive Sports provides content to companies in the on-line and wireless industries such as USA Today and MSNBC.